Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
41 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the suggestion by Veterinary Ireland that there should be recommended retail prices for farm drugs; and his further views on whether this is price-fixing. [9197/04]
View answerI have no function in the pricing of veterinary medicines. Within the context of the control regime which exists to ensure both legal and appropriate use of such medicines, I would, however, be anxious to see healthy price competition within the veterinary medicines market.
My Department is currently considering responses it has received from various stakeholders arising from my recent announcement of a range of proposed changes in the national regime governing the approval and distribution of veterinary medicines. That announcement followed a lengthy review by my Department of the current control regime, which included consultation with stakeholders, to take account of developments since that regime was put in place almost a decade ago and prospective developments, including at EU level.
While the question of formal price control as such would be a matter for my colleague, the Tanáiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, it is important that I place on record that, in so far as the changes proposed by my Department are concerned, it is not intended to reduce in any way the protection afforded by the regime to consumers of Irish food or to the health and welfare of animals. Rather, the overall objective of the proposed changes is to put in place a regime which, by addressing a number of difficulties which were identified arising in particular from inflexibilities in the existing regime, not least in regard to prescribing by veterinarians, would be more workable and through improved record-keeping, would be more amenable to supervision by my Department. It is my belief that certain of the changes I am proposing will promote price competition in the market while retaining the necessary safeguards.
Given the extensive nature of the consultation which has already taken place with stakeholders during the review, it is my intention that having considered and responded as appropriate to the most recent round of views expressed, to convene the animal remedies consultative committee as soon a possible with a view to finalising the changes to be made to the legislation.
